Devon being new to this town had no idea where he was exactly or how to get back but he expects the inn may be able to at least provide him a bite to eat before he has to find his way home. He walked carefully into the place with the golden eel above the doorway.
Grith shrugs and steps up. He's fairly sure he doesn't recognize the dwarf, and thus, the dwarf isn't likely to recognize him. He won't be around enough to figure out...
"Hah! I'll show you how to throw a dart." He boasts proudly.
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Devon: The interior of the inn proves to be small, but cozy. The innkeeper greets you warmly with a broad smile. "Welcome to the Golden Eel! Will you be needing a room? We have rooms for a reasonable rate of 5 sp per night, or we have a common room for 1 sp."
Others: "Right then! I'll give you the honor of going first since you are the challenger. Name's Boomer. Did you want to make a friendly wager?"
"Uh...well I actually wasn't planning to spend the night. I am kind of lost. This crazy coachman nearly ran me over and then I got driven to a strange part of the city and need to find my way back. I was somewhere near the Grey Minstrel, can you give me directions on how to get back?"
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"Crazy coachm... ah, you mean Ool. Yeah, he's mad alright. Don't know why Korbo hasn't fired him yet, but he does get his passengers there safely, and in record time. The Grey Minstrel, eh? Let's see... go right out of here, then take the first right. That should be the Way of Seven Seas. Follow that road until you come to a park. Follow the path around the park to the right, then take the second right. That's Trader's Way. Go three streets and hang a left onto Tankard Alley. The Grey Minstrel is the second building to the left."
"Uh...alright thank you sir." Devon handed the man a single coin in thanks for the directions before he headed out doing his best not to get confused. The city definitely was a stranger place then his home of Heavenring Village and he hoped he'd make it back to the Grey Minstrel before it got too dark to head home. He might just need to spend the night in the city after all and he didn't want to find out what came out after dark in the streets after his 'harmless' encounter with the coachman.
Grith hurls a few darts clumsily as though he were swinging a hammer. One manages to hit the board, technically. He narrows his eyes but says nothing.
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@Everyone Else
Though his third darts misses the board, the dwarf easily bests Grith with his other two throws. Smiling, he calls out, "Next! Or would you like to try again?"
@Devon
You move swiftly down the darkening streets, noting with appreciation that the lamplighters seem to be doing their jobs. As you turn onto Trader's Way, you nearly bowl over a young man. "What have we here boys? A lone elf out for an evening stroll. Are you lost, little elf?"
Devon looks to see who the man is talking to as he backs up a step after nearly bowling him over. "My apologies I didn't see you there. Actually I was lost but got directions to where I am going. Thank you for asking." He looked past the man along Trader's Way toward Tankard Alley. "I'm sure those city guards can help you though if you need directions." He bluffed pretending his half elven sight could make something out in the dark street coming toward them.
"You mean like what those city guards do?" Devon pointed further down the street and waited for the men to reflexively look before he took off at a sprint past the first man heading for Tankard Alley.
Grith briefly considers incinerating the dart board, but he decides to simply make good on his bet and buy himself something to wash down the sour taste of defeat.
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@Devon: The men turn to look and you break into a dead run. They quickly recover and give pursuit, but you have a lead on them. You duck into the Grey Minstrel only moments before they turn the corner.
@Grith: The dwarf smiles broadly at you. "Boomer Tuntapper. I'm part-owner of the Grey Minstrel. Don't be too sore, my friend, I get a lot of practice. Here, try a Mountain Ale, on the house." He raises two fingers to the barman and offers one of the drinks to Grith.
Devon panted as he darted through the door and glanced around frantically before heading for a corner to try to find a spot to hide. He hadn't expected the men to give such chase but still at least he was inside now...surely they wouldn't try anything in here? He saw Grith and his eyes went wide in recognition before he changed direction to head to him.
"Ah...I seem to have met some unpleasant racist thugs in the street outside. Any chance we could share a drink?"
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Grith eyes the other dwarf with some uncertainty, then finally accepts the drink with reluctant satisfaction. "Ok Boomer."
After drinking he introduces himself. "Call me Grith. Been years since I was in the mountain holds of my youth, but that's where I grew up. You one of these city dwarves?"
Kal sits off to the side, sipping his cider, listening for any stories about local dragons, and potentially their hunters.
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"Nope, I used to be a mountain dweller myself, but then Torm and I stepped into a great deal for this inn after our tour of duty was up. We got the place for a steal, mostly because of the spook. We decided to settle down and live the mundane life," Boomer explains. He removes his shiny helm and rubs his hair to flatten it.
Devon, the three men enter the inn, hot on your heels. "Hey now, little elfy. Why'd you run off like that? We were just getting to know each other."
Kal, you aren't hearing any rumors about dragons, but you do witness this exchange.
Devon looked amazed that the thugs were stupid enough to enter a tavern full of people to continue to harass him. He manuevered to stay on the far side of the room from them as best he could. "Are you kidding me? You all were trying to rob me and you clearly don't know when to give up."
He looked at Grith who hadn't reacted to him coming up and speaking to him and then back at the men. "You all should leave now...if you start a fight in here I think you may not walk out again. The people here are very dangerous."
Kal stands up and signals to Devon to join him, "Hello, friend! Good to see you again. Why don't you join me? I'm certain I'll make a better companion than you currently have."
He glares at the three, fixing his stare on the thugs to see their response.
"Yes...you don't want to mess with my friend here, he'll turn you all into newts. I'm not sure what your plan is but if you leave now I'm sure nobody in here will call the guards..." Internally Devon was sweating but he felt a lot braver seeing the people in here from earlier.
"Newts? Nah. Making someone smarter than they already are is a pain. Hmmm... Would you lot prefer sandstone, or just loose sand? With the latter, you can continue to be an irritant for the foreseeable future." Kal's voice turns deadly serious, and some sort of illusion kicks in that makes his voice sound like it's coming from a giant creature, but only to the trio, "Now get. Before I lose my patience."
Grith looks a little surprised that Devon has found them again. "Hoi, thought you were rabble." He shrugs, tosses a gold to Boomer, and hops down from his human-height stool.
Holding the stein in his hand, he looks over the thugs and says simply. "I'm Grith."
He downs the rest of the contents and then swings the stein wildly.
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Grith slaps the lead thug with his stein, sending him reeling backward. The man scrambles to his feet and looks as though he will step up the challenge, then suddenly the color drains from his face and he backpedals. "Right, little elfie. I see you're safely back with your friends, so we'll be off now. C'mon, lads!" The three cannot leave the tavern quickly enough, scrambling over themselves to get to the door.
Kal turns back to Devon, "So, little elfie. You seem to have had quite the adventure without us. Mind if I tag along next time you go somewhere? It's hard finding excitement these days, but you just can't even leave the city without it, can you?"
Devon nervously chuckles. "I didn't expect my first time in the city to be quite THIS exciting. After I left the museum place I nearly got run over by a runaway carriage which I jumped onto the back in an attempt to rescue the occupants...only to discover the mad coachman apparently was delivering them to their destination. I found myself hopelessly lost and only managed to find my way back thanks to some directions although that is when I stumbled into those thugs looking for trouble. I think I should just get a room with the money we earned and set out again in the morning. If you both want to come with me I have no objections but honestly my life is pretty boring barring the way fate seems to target me today. Oh and the name is Devon Bowyer by the way just in case it was forgot."
Devon looked surprised they were recognized but looks the man over. "You know who we are but who are you? I'm not sure what you've heard about us but i'm sure we'll at least hear you out."
"Indeed. You seem to have us at a disadvantage. You know who we are, but we don't know you. What are you thinking of today?" Kal asks.
Grith is confused when the men run away but shrugs it off and takes his seat again. "So, Boomer, who's Torm?" He seems not to notice the man that's approached them.
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"My name is Avendos, Fiscus Avendos. I have a lead on a lucrative opportunity that might interest you. There is some risk, but what is a small risk to such as you? If you would know more, meet me at nightfall at the Skywhite House of Lavation and I will provide more details. There we can have privacy and there is less likelihood of being overheard."
Kal shrugs, ”Sure, I’ll come. I’ve got nothing better to do, after all.” he turns to the barkeep, having finally sat down, and signals for a drink.
"Huh...thats weird I do one job and now I'm getting mysterious job offers from strangers. Well I guess it can't hurt to go listen though it might I guess if he is trying to do something unlawful and we want to back out..." Devon orders himself a drink too, enjoying the company of his new friends and hoping this opportunity is a good idea.
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The Skywhite House of Lavation proves to be exactly what you would expect, a modest bathhouse. A man with thinning hair and what we would call Asian features greets you at the door. "Welcome, my friends, to the Skywhite House of Lavation. We offer bathing services here at modest prices; two pieces of silver for a bath, four if you desire privacy, and five silver pieces for a relaxing massage. Special soaps and cleaning agents are available for extra cost. Please, what services were you interested in?"
"Is Fiscus Avendos here?" Devon asked not sure why their meeting was happening at a bath house. He offered the doorman 4 silver pieces assuming privacy would be required. He checked his equipment fidgeting nervously.
Grith came along after realizing he could probably use a bath. Thankfully nobody felt the need to tell him.
Nodding to the doorman he offers him a gold and says gruffly, "Just gimme the best you got." Then Devon mentions Fiscus and Grith withdraws his hand. "Oh, yeah." He waits impatiently, hoping he'll still get a chance for the bath.
Kal waits around near Devon, and passes the man a gold coin, "I'll take one shortly." he says absentmindedly, looking around.
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The man smiles. "Please, follow me, gentlemen." He leads you into a dimly-lit 20' x 30' room. Soft music fills the air, produced by a pair of twins; the male playing a strange stringed instrument that is unlike any you have ever seen, and the female playing a darkwood flute. The music is very soothing and relaxing and the scent of jasmine fills the air. Cushions surround a low table that barely clears the floor.
"Please take a seat," the man offers, indicating the cushions. "Ki will be in shortly to serve the tea."
Kal looks around at the room, taking in the smells and sounds, and sits on one of the cushions cross-legged with a shrug, playing with a bit of magic in his palm while they wait.
Devon looked around the room in wonder as he was assailed with music and scents he hadn't experienced before in his simple life. He eyed the cushions nervously not liking how far this stranger was going to talk to a group of strangers who had admittedly completed one job but didn't do anything that special. Perhaps it was the mages with him they wanted to see, their magic was unusual and powerful and likely could benefit any number of clients.
He took a seat next to Kal and tried not to seem too much like a peasant in a fancy place.
Grith decided to stand. He was short enough as such anyway and didn't care to put himself in a vulnerable position. Additionally dwarves just aren't known for sitting terribly much.
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It is only a moment before a woman enters in a fancy silk robe carrying a lacquered tray with an iron pot and a single decorative bowl. "The tea ceremony is essential to the bathing experience," she says with a heavy accent. She sets the tray down and kneels, beginning to prepare the tea with careful, deliberate movements. Taking a silk cloth from her robe, she carefully folds it and uses it to set the pot on a burner sunken into the center of the table.
Next, she carefully cleans each tool, showing no sign of hurry, while the water comes to a boil. She prepares the tea with delicate movements, scooping a precise amount into the bowl before adding several ladles of water and stirring the tea with a special whisk. After letting it steep for a moment, she hands the bowl to Devon, indicating that he should drink from it.
As he starts to raise the bowl to his lips, she stops him and helps him rotate the bowl exactly 180 degrees in two turns so that the decorative front is facing away from him. The tea is bitter and sharp and tastes of tree bark. After Devon has taken a drink, she carefully wipes the edge of the bowl. She then urges him to pass the bowl to Grith, indicating that he should do the same. After Grith has imbibed, he passes the bowl to Kal. When the bowl makes it back to her, she passes around a small tray with what looks like sweets on it; one for each of you. As you partake of the candies (which is what they are), she carefully cleans each instrument and places it back into its place on the tray. Using the silk cloth, she picks up the pot and places it on the tray, then rises and performs a deep bow before taking the tray and exiting.
The man that had met you at the door then enters and bids you follow him. He takes you into a room with a long bench down the center and rows of cubicles on the walls. A curtain separates the room from the hallway. Most of the cubicles are empty, but a few contain articles of clothing.
"When you have disrobed, pull the bell cord and I will escort you to the bathing chamber," he says, indicating a small cord that hangs near the curtained entrance. He supplies each of you with a towel and smaller washcloth and then exits, pulling the curtain closed behind him.
Kal is confused about the purpose of all this, but still takes the drink and candy after a discreet divination ensures they aren't drugged or poisoned.
"I apologize, but is all this truly required?" Kal asks the attendant, "We were under the impression that we were to be hired for a job, not partake in the bathhouse?"
Assuming that he receives an answer that satisfies him, Kal wraps an illusion around himself before disrobing, creating an area of shifting light that bears a distinct resemblance to a mirage, preventing anybody from seeing any more of himself than his robes would normally allow. He then ventures into the bath where hopefully their employer is to be found.
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Devon gratefully performed the tea ceremony being enthralled with the experience of a culture outside his own rustic village and tried to pay close attention to mimicking the behavior of their hosts. Even if he had to turn down the offer there was no point to being rude for rudeness sake. He followed when they got to the bathing stalls and he looked between the stall and the others.
"Huh...I guess this is going to be a very personal meeting. No sense being shy I guess, we've fought together on the field of battle. I'm not sure though what would be planned if the sorceress had come along with us..." Devon slowly took his gear of setting it in a cubicle as he had a worrying thought...without his sword and bow this would be an opportune time to ambush them if the mages were unable to bring their magics to bear...but that seemed far too paranoid. This was a bath house after all not some...shady backroom of a tavern. He shrugged off his clothing and folded it carefully wrapped the towel around his waist before grabbing the wash basin and heading into the bath area.
Grith, already missing his shirt, quickly disposes of the rest and grabs the towel. Any hint of embarrassment or even modesty is completely lost on the dwarf and he marches along dutifully as he's told without a word to be said about it.
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You are escorted into a large chamber in which there are three pools; a small pool of hot water, a small pool of cold water, and a large pool of tepid water. Few people are in the room; a pair of men talking quietly in the tepid pool and across from them a trio of women, also talking amongst themselves. In the steaming pool, the man that you have come to see hails you and calls out, "Come, my friends. Join me! The water is fine!"
As you sink into the hot steaming waters, you can almost feel your concerns melting away. The effects of the tea, the music, and the water combine to leave you very relaxed. "Now then," Fiscus begins in low tones. "You are adventurers, are you not? Or am I misinformed?"
"I'm actually just the son of the Bowyer of Heavenring village. I was just visiting Deepwater and got offered a job earlier. I haven't really been on any adventures but I wouldn't mind learning more about things outside my village."
Anyone who'd been too or heard of Heavenring might know of the famed Bowyer from that locale who was said to have been an adventurer in his youth and now made bows of legendary craftsmanship for those he deemed worthy. There was a rumor he had been working on a Magnum Opus bow for years using the rarest wood he recovered from the fey of the woods near the village.
Grith shrugs. "I have done a bit of this, a bit of that..." His eyes wander over the scars and runes that decorate his body, though the red-hot runes hardly make a difference in the already steaming water. He remembers the years he spend finding and channeling this elemental power, and what it was like to finally succeed.
He briefly wonders if he'd do it all again.
"I guess you could call it adventure."
"Adventurer fits as well as anything" Kal says, reclining in a manner reminiscent of a cat in the steaming water, "What business do you have that require some?" he inquires.